Women and Mathematics: Research Perspectives for Change. NIE Papers in Education and Work, Number Eight.

Fox, Lynn H.; And Others

The results of three investigations into major influences affecting women's participation and achievement in mathematics and their preferences for mathematics-related careers are reported. The major cognitive, affective and educational influences are studied. Major social influences, including sex role stereotyping mathematics as a male domain, and perceived usefulness of mathematics for later life roles, are also discussed. Evidence related to hypotheses of biological sources as major influences of differences in mathematical achievement are investigated. The underlying theme of all three papers is the finding that sex differences in mathematics achievement, which are usually evident for the first time around grade 8 or 9, are largely a function of differential course taking rather than any inability on the part of women to learn mathematics. Mathematics tests that do show sex differences usually do not control for the number of courses taken. Also, differences do not appear to have a biological basis. (Author/MP)